CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Careproject links research to policy ideas and examples that support the healthy growth and development of infants and toddlers in child care settings. The project provides resources to help states make the best decisions for infants and toddlers in child care.

The foundation of the project is a policy framework comprised of four key principles describing what babies and toddlers in child care need and 15 recommendations for states to move forward.

State CCDBG Plans to Promote Access to Comprehensive Services

Dec 22, 2009

The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. Below are examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives supporting infant/toddler care as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.

Actions taken by states to promote access to comprehensive services included:

Training providers in infant mental health

Oregonsought to improve provider understanding of early childhood mental health needs and interventions by offering an Infant/Toddler Mental Health Certificate Program, a distance learning program offered by Portland State University. Oregon Community Foundation, a partner organization, provided financial assistance for some providers to participate in the program.

Streamlining social service agencies

Arizona's Department of Economic Security housed most of the state's social services programs in one agency, thus making it easier for families to apply for multiple services. Programs housed in the department included child care assistance, employment services, food stamps, and the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities.

Providing community-based systems of support

New Hampshire had 14 interagency, regional Infant Mental Health Teams that identified gaps in services and responded to the particular needs of each region. The teams had representation from multiple fields, including mental health, early intervention, and CCR&R agencies.

Pennsylvania reported that infant/toddler specialists worked with local communities through an initiative called the Infant Mental Health Consultation Project to create comprehensive systems of mental health services and supports for infants and toddlers.